Summer Knobloch Photography Blog

handmade goodness | Central Illinois Photographer

admin — Mon, 22 Feb 2010 00:25:26 +0000

Last year I had the privilege of photographing the very talented Sara of Sarah & Abraham. Her session was tons of fun and I was SO honored to photograph a celebrity in the world of handmade goodies :) This girl is SO sweet, creative, and crazy talented. She has just launched a new website called Oh My Handmade! in addition to her Sara & Abraham site. This website is a collaboration of designers and is going to rock. your. socks. off! To celebrate the launch, she’s hosting an incredible giveaway - go see for yourself! There’s some fabulous goodies up for grabs!

Oh My Handmade

announcing dates for Sweet & Simple Mini Sessions | Central Illinois photographer

admin — Thu, 18 Feb 2010 00:16:30 +0000

I’ve gotten a great response to our 2010 Sessions - thank you! Many of you have emailed about booking your Sweet & Simple Session - so here you go! Announcing the first set of dates for our Sweet & Simple Mini Sessions:

Saturday, March 27th - downtown Bloomington - p.m. - Urban Tour

- Join us as we explore the great textures & colors hidden dontown. I’m picturing colorful wardrobe & families up for anything! We might even stop for hot chocolate

Saturday, May 29th - Bloomington - a.m. - Bloom Session

- We’ll be shooting in a secret spot…filled with wildflowers & everything spring!

When you’re ready to book your Sweet & Simple session, click on the payment button below to send your payment securely. Don’t forget to leave me a note about your family! Once your request has been processed, you will receive a confirmation email with all the details you need to prepare for your session.

Purchase a Sweet & Simple Session: $475

Purchase a Discounted Sweet & Simple Session: $350

For clients who book a 2010 Deluxe Session, they will receive unlimited mini sessions for the first year after their Deluxe Session - at a generous discount.

Clients who have already booked a Deluxe Session for 2010 get priority. Openings will be assigned in order on a first-come, first-serve basis.

Don’t see a date or location that fits what you’re looking for? Fill out this form to be contacted with future dates.

Just tuning in and want to know more about 2010 Sessions? Go here.

simplify. | Central Illinois Family Photographer

admin — Tue, 26 Jan 2010 22:11:22 +0000

2010: SIMPLIFY

Simplify is the word that best describes the changes here at SKP for 2010. Being the parent of an ambitious 3 year old and a mobile 8 month little guy, I understand how crazy and hectic life can get. Once you have children, it seems like every month goes by faster than the last! So in order to simplify and enhance your experience with SKP, we have made some very exciting changes for 2010 by designing some packages with your family’s needs in mind.

Now, when you book a session with SKP, you will have your choice between two different types of sessions. There are unique differences between the two. I’m most excited to bring to you Sweet & Simple Sessions…giving you more for your money in half the time!

SWEET & SIMPLE (mini session): $475

This is something you all have been waiting for! For the first time, SKP is offering DIGITAL images as part of your session! This package is short and sweet - with your session lasting about 30 minutes. It’s perfect for the smaller milestones that could easily fly by in the year, but deserve to be documented (first year,18 months, maternity, mother/daughter day, etc). Of course anyone can take advantage of this mini session - no milestone required :) The best part - ALL your images straight to you on a disc within 2 weeks of your session. Talk about short, simple and totally sweet!

For $475, you will receive:

* a 30-45 minute session for up to 3 people (babies must be at least 4 months old)

*Session location, date, & times will be announced in advance (your choice from pre-determined dates)

*ALL of your digital negatives on CD. Generally there will be more than the typical 25-30 files…much more! These files will receive basic edits (basic adjustments to enhance contrast & brightness, but no cropping or blemish removal, no sharpening, etc), but no further retouching. (See below for examples)

*Printing release for your digital images (files are printable up to 8×10) - giving you permission to have them printed wherever, whenever! No more pressure to make a split-second decision between a 5×7 or an 8×10 for Aunt Sue…just take your CD & decide at your own leisure. Printing recommendations will be included with your CD - making it super easy & stress-free.

*1 fully retouched fine art 8×10 enlargement of the artist’s favorite image from your session. Your enlargement will be printed on metallic paper with linen texture & mounted for longevity.

*Of course, the option to purchase additional enlargements or boutique items (which are all fully retouched)

…and the best part of all? QUICK TURNAROUND! Your image CD will be shipped or hand-delivered to you within 2 weeks from your session!!

RELISH & ENJOY (deluxe session):

For those wanting to capture the larger milestones in true SKP form you will want to book a Deluxe Session. These packages are designed for those special occasions that you want to slow down and relish (family photos, newborn, any group of 4 or more, etc). This slow-paced session is 1-2 hours of relaxed fun - focused on your family or little one. We’ll have plenty of time for snacks, dress-up, storytime, games…even bath time if you wish!

A Deluxe Session offers 3 different packages to choose from. Packages start at $675 but clients generally anticipate investing around $1250 to receive ALL of their fully retouched images on CD, boutique items, & substantial print credit. Your Deluxe Session also includes a handcrafted online gallery which will be fully retouched to create fine art images. (see below for fully retouched examples). These full-length sessions are a rare indulgence and are perfect for those once-a-year family photos. Want more info, including pricing & package details? Just ask!

Deluxe Sessions will be offered on a very limited basis, so expect availability for these sessions to fill up quickly. Book 3-4 months in advance to ensure your date is available.

Here’s the difference between the digital negatives (basic edits only) you’ll receive from a Sweet & Simple Session vs. the fully retouched, fine art prints you’ll receive from a Deluxe Session:

COMING SOON…I’ll be announcing the first date for our Sweet & Simple mini sessions! These will fill up fast, so keep the blog bookmarked if you’re hoping to book a session in the next few months!

magic | Central Illinois family photographer

admin — Mon, 25 Jan 2010 20:07:24 +0000

I knew when I left their home that the images would be magic. Not because the people in them were beautiful (although they were), or their home was immaculate (although it was) - but because the love they felt towards one another was so tangible, you couldn’t help but see it on film. It’s the kind of love you just want to bottle up & keep forever…and I guess - in a small way - we did just that with these images.

Enjoy your sneak peek N & J! You will have lots more gorgeous images in your gallery - this is just a small sampling! 25 comments from friends & family = a 5×7 on me

look who’s three! | Central Illinois Child Photographer

admin — Sun, 24 Jan 2010 00:43:40 +0000

A little over a year ago, I hired a rockin’ assistant named Katie. I’ve had the pleasure of photographing her gorgeous family several times, this being one of my favorite sessions. I always have fun being around her family, and this morning was no different. The little babe you see in this session is now three, and looking quite grown up these days! Here’s a super-duper sneak peek for her momma…who continues to make SKP run smoothly, and is forever making me look good :)

Welcome to THREE, Miss L! I love you!

stay tuned…

admin — Wed, 20 Jan 2010 14:30:43 +0000

…some big changes for SKP will be announced very soon. If you’re looking to book a 2010 session, this info is crucial. Keep the blog bookmarked!

ringing in the new year | Central Illinois Child Photographer

admin — Sun, 17 Jan 2010 19:07:55 +0000

SKP is back in business for the new year, and what better way to kick things off than photographing this lil cutie :) Her family successfully bid on & won their session with me at a benefit last year. I was so glad to finally meet them after months of communicating over email. Such a warm, friendly family - and very, very enamored with their little Lilly

When I asked L’s mom if she was walking yet, she said no - but that she’s constantly standing on her tiptoes. It’s the little things they do that we too soon forget - and now they have it recorded forever.

announcement & a wish | Central Illinois Child Photographer

admin — Wed, 09 Dec 2009 14:52:07 +0000

SKP is now closed for the holidays until January 8th, 2010. If you are inquiring about a new session, please contact Katie at: katiemavros@gmail.com . 2010 bookings are not yet open, but we can put you on a waiting list. If you are a current client and have a question about your order, please feel free to still email me - however, I will be out of the office starting tomorrow December 10th - December 20th - so any emails sent during this time will not be immediately returned. If you feel it is urgent you speak with me, please contact me by phone. Otherwise, all non-urgent emails will be returned when SKP re-opens after January 8th.

Thank you for a wonderful 2009! I am honored to be a part of each of your lives - I truly believe I have the best clients ever :) I wish all of you a very Merry Christmas!

xox - S

be merry | Central Illinois Family Photographer

admin — Sat, 28 Nov 2009 19:02:48 +0000

The annual SKP end-of-the-year special is here, and this year’s is the best yet!

Introducing the Be Merry Collection! Here’s the scoop:

1) Go to the site and click on “skp” at the top of the page to access the private client section of the site. Enter the password: be merry

2) Choose from four different modern Be Merry Christmas card designs - picking your favorite is going to be tough! Your card will feature an image from your SKP session!

3) Once you see the one you love, click ”add to cart” then “view cart”. Simply select “5×7 digital card” from the drop down menu, and checkout! You’ll be re-directed to the paypal site where you can make payment as well as enter your customization info in the “message to seller” box. Done! Choosing your custom Christmas card has never been easier!

4) Your digital Christmas card will be emailed to you within 24 hours - where you can have it printed anywhere you like! Just upload to any photo printing site (mpix.com, costco, shutterfly, etc). All without ever leaving your chair - sweet, huh? :)

Because I want everyone to have gorgeous, unique Christmas cards with their SKP images, I am offering this special for just $45. This means you will receive a custom, professionally designed Christmas card with your SKP images for a fraction of the price! This offer expires at midnight December 5th.

*Other details you need to know*

For complete customization of your card, remember to do the following:

In the “message to seller” box on the paypal site, please give me the following information:

1) Text: your greeting & how you want your family’s name(s) listed

2) Image: the SKP image you would like featured on your card. If you have a print of the image at home, simply look at the back of your print for a reference number. A short description of the image also works (e.g. “black and white image of the 4 of us sitting under the tree”). If you have had multiple sessions with SKP this year, please specify the month your session took place.

Cards are sized to 5×7 and print best at mpix.com (a professional photo lab used by amateurs and professionals) - but can be printed anwhere you like. A copyright release will be included in the email along with your digital card.

Questions? Just email me!

Sneek a peek at the designs here:

busy bee | Central Illinois Family Photographer

admin — Fri, 27 Nov 2009 18:53:15 +0000

Things here at SKP are humming right along as we get into the holiday season. Fall sessions are offically over, and SKP will be closed for business from December 1st - January 4th. The fall mini sessions were a big hit this year, and Katie & I are working like crazy to ensure everyone gets their images in time for Christmas. Here are some friendly reminders as we approach some tight deadlines:

*Please have your print/product order submitted no later than December 4th. Earlier is preferred. :)

*Prints submitted by December 4th will be guaranteed delivery in time for Christmas. All orders submitted after that deadline will not be processed until after January 4th when SKP re-opens for 2010.

*Rush delivery is not available due to time constraints on my labs. In order to keep the quality of your products at their very best, we must adhere to certain guidelines. Thanks for understanding

*Any questions regarding your order can be directed to Katie: katiemavros@gmail.com

*Lastly - I posted a sneak peek from this fall mini session a few weeks back, and decided there were just too many great images not to share…so here’s the whole enchilada: